We flew into Ft. Lauderdale airport, rented a car and headed for the Keys. It was an easy drive down the Florida Turnpike and a little over an hour later we drove onto Card Sound Road so we could have lunch at the famous Alabama Jacks on Key Largo.
The place was packed! It opens at 2:00 pm on Sundays and we got there at 2:15 and there were only a few open tables left.
A band was playing some great music and everyone was rocking...
And we scored a great table right on the river....
Check out all the dollar bills pinned everywhere...
We had a long wait - almost an hour, before our food arrived. I got the fried conch because I wanted to try it. It was just ok. Now I can say I've had it but I doubt I'd ever order it again.
Chablis got a fried grouper sandwich that was very good...
After lunch we grabbed a geocache in the parking lot - Card Sound Cache. It was an easy find and grab, even with all the people milling about. The line of traffic coming off of Key Largo was unbelievable and we were glad we were headed onto the island instead of off it...
We drove thru Key Largo and continued on to Islamorada, where we were spending the first night at the Chesapeake Beach Resort.
We quickly changed into our swim suits and headed down to their beach and pool for a nice swim...
We saw this iguana hanging around on the rocks...
I got a big kick out of this sign saying that the maximum temperature for the pool would be 104 degrees. That's my kind of pool water!
We relaxed and floated around in the pool for awhile and then cleaned up for dinner. We stopped on our way to the restaurant to do another geocache - Leg Stretcher VIII...
It's always fun to find quirky little out of the way geocaches...
And then headed to the Islamorada Fish Company for the sunset and a gulf side dinner....
The view from our table was gorgeous - it was all outside, under a covered roof, and with a light breeze, it couldn't have been more perfect.
I forgot to take a picture of our meal, but I got grilled snapper and Chablis got stuffed shrimp. Both were excellent! Chablis kicked off her flip flops and relaxed....
This was a perfect view to end our first evening...
Next up is our first snorkeling trip, a visit to Bahia Honda State Park and our arrival on Key West.
See day 2 here.
Oh, Kim...I've been waiting for this trip report...and it was so worth the wait! It looks like your Florida Keys adventure got off to an awesome start...and those evening water views are simply GORGEOUS!
ReplyDeleteHow were the noseeums down there, compared to Sanibel?
No Noseeums at all!! Some mosquitoes, altho Chablis got bit worse than I did.
DeleteBe ready to do a lot of reading because I have a ton to talk about this trip!
Yay about no noseeums, but boo to the skeeters!
DeleteI can't wait to read it all....talk away!!! :)
I too have been waiting for this report!! So far it looks wonderful, for me, a big part of going somewhere new is checking out the food, it all looks wonderful!!! The pictures are wonderful too.... Keep 'em coming!! ;)
ReplyDeleteI have so much to share, so be sure to keep checking back.
DeleteLooks like your vacation was off to a great start!
ReplyDeleteWonderful start with lots more to come.
DeleteLooks like fun
ReplyDeleteIt was a good start!
DeleteI'm so happy to see your photos too! Love the evening pics! I know you had a marvelous time. I've never been to the Keys and would love to go! Any more photos? heehee! Hugs, Diane
ReplyDeleteYou're a riot Diane! Lot's more to come - stay tuned.
DeleteI am closing my eyes and picturing myself sitting at those waterfront tables . . . so happy that you had such a wonderful trip and can't wait to hear more. :)
ReplyDeleteLooks like so much fun so far Kim!
ReplyDeleteTania
Oh, I've always wanted to go to the Keys too. I'm looking forward to seeing the rest of your trip! So far, looks like you had a fun first day!!
ReplyDelete